No ban on the entry of new airlines

KANGRA: Asserting that there was no ban on the entry of new airlines, Government today said the delay in granting clearance to them has been due to shortage of slots.

"There are perceptions in certain quarters that a ban has been imposed on the entry of new carriers in the aviation sector, which is not true.

"We have paucity of slots and as and when we have them, the same would be made available" to the new carriers, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told reporters after inaugurating new terminal building of the airport here and flagging off the maiden Air Deccan flight connecting Kangra and Delhi.

To questions on the merger of two state-owned carriers, the name of the new entity and its logo and mascot, he said a decision would be taken "soon".

Patel also opposed the imposition of congestion surcharge by private carriers and pointed out that state-owned Indian had not imposed the surcharge at all.

He said the government was keen to ensure regional air connectivity and was considering extending sops like reducing landing and parking charges for those airlines which would connect small and remote towns and cities.

Steps would soon be taken to promote heli-tourism, sea-planes and charter tourism, he said. The proposed Civil Aviation Policy would include the regional air connectivity concept to promote air tourism.

On the demand by carriers that airports should have night-landing facility, the Minister said the government has decided to make it available at all airports, including sophisticated radars and navigation systems.